Treasure Tampa (T²) Launches With $30K for Creative Placemaking

TAMPA – The Tampa-based Gobioff Foundation announced this week that it is co-hosting a public breakfast to announce the Treasure Tampa (T²) initiative, which will include up to $30,000 in seed money for creative place-based projects with the goal of adding to the treasure that is Tampa. Featuring an inspirational presentation about cross sector Creative Placemaking by Jamie Bennett (Executive Director, ArtPlace America), the breakfast is at 8:30 am, Mon., Sept. 19, 2016, at The Vault on Franklin Exchange (611 N Franklin St., Tampa 33602).

Focusing on areas within the City of Tampa and the neighborhood area served by the University Area Community Development Corporation, Treasure Tampa (T²) strives to inspire businesses, non-profits, and artists to implement creative place-based projects through collaborations with the public and private sectors to forge the identity, character and experience of those areas with the members of those communities.

Along with The Gobioff Foundation, the Treasure Tampa (T²) initiative is partnered by Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture & the Arts; the City of Tampa, Art Programs Division; the Arts Council of Hillsborough County; the Tampa Innovation Alliance; the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay; the Tampa Downtown Partnership; and the Tampa Bay Foundation for Architecture & Design.

“We really want members of all sectors – public, private, non-profit – to collaborate as a whole community and put a creative thumbprint on Tampa,” says Neil Gobioff, Gobioff Foundation President. “It’s not merely a way to showcase Tampa to people from other parts of the world. This is for everyone. This area is our home, and we want to encourage everyone to creatively make it look and feel like home.”

While Treasure Tampa (T²) focuses on area-specific Tampa-based projects, the partners emphasize that participating members do not have to be based in those areas. Individuals and businesses from anywhere may submit an application to participate in the initiative.
The breakfast and presentation will be held for anyone interested in learning about and participating in creative placemaking. Jamie Bennett’s presentation will focus on defining Creative Placemaking, illustrating success stories, and explaining ways to implement. ArtPlace America (ArtPlace) is a ten-year collaboration among a number of foundations, federal agencies, and financial institutions that works to position arts and culture as a core sector of comprehensive community planning and development in order to help strengthen the social, physical, and economic fabric of communities.

Seating for the free breakfast and presentation is limited. Interested parties may RSVP to or find more information at www.gobioff-foundation.org/treasuretampa.html.